4 March 2014

2015 Jeep Renegade. Click to enlarge.

Jeep unveiled the new 2015 Jeep Renegade small SUV at the Geneva Motor Show. Designed for global markets, the Renegade offers 16 powertrain combinations globally and the segment’s first nine-speed automatic transmission.

Leveraging 4x4 technology from the new Jeep Cherokee, the Renegade offers a full-time 4x4 system (Jeep Active Drive) and a full-time 4x4 system with 20:1 crawl ratio (Jeep Active Drive Low) The Renegade is also the first small SUV to feature a disconnecting rear axle and power take-off unit (PTU) (earlier post) to provide Jeep Renegade 4x4 models with enhanced fuel economy. The system instantly engages when 4x4 traction is needed.

1.6-liter MultiJet II engine with Stop&Start will be offered in Europe with a 6-speed manual. The 1.6-liter I-4 delivers 88 kW (120 CV, 118 horsepower) and peak torque of 320 N·m (236 lb-ft), making it a leader among engines with displacements of 1.8 liters or less. It features an electronically controlled variable-geometry turbocharger, and benefits from MultiJet II, the common-rail fuel-injection technology.

The compact turbodiesel features a cast-iron crankshaft and connecting rods. Stop&Start technology helps reduce emissions and eliminates fuel consumption that would result from idling. Includes a close-coupled Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and low-pressure EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system for Euro 5+ emissions.

2.0-liter MultiJet II engine with Stop&Start will be offered in Europe / Asia-Pacific with either the 9-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. With output offerings of 103 and 125 kW (140 and 170 CV), the 2.0-liter MultiJet II I-4 turbodiesel diesel delivers more power and performance, while still meeting Euro 6 emissions standards. An electronically controlled variable-geometry turbocharger improves power delivery.

Peak torque is rated at 350 N·m (258 lb-ft). A new low-pressure EGR system with an electrically activated EGR valve contributes to emissions reduction, along with close-coupled NSC/DPF. Lower engine friction reduces fuel consumption along with Stop&Start technology, which also helps cut emissions.

Transmissions.

Nine-speed 948TE automatic transmission is available in all regions for use with the 1.4-liter MultiAir2 Turbo engine with Stop&Start (4x4); 2.4-liter MultiAir2 Tigershark engine (4x2 or 4x4); and 2.0-liter MultiJet II engine with Stop&Start (4x4).

The wide ratio spread delivers an aggressive first gear ratio of 4.71 for low-end performance and small gear ratio steps, which afford luxury-car levels of shift refinement. A unique set of four overdrive ratios improve highway fuel economy and reduce overall noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.

Sharing its 6.68 gear-ratio spread design with a manual transmission, the DDCT features a final-drive ratio of 4.438 for quick acceleration while maintaining fuel economy. And with its first-gear overall launch ratio of 17.1:1 and precision-controlled shift points, it delivers precise gear. Designed to handle the turbocharged engine’s output, the DDCT utilizes a tubular intermediate shaft with equal-length half shafts to mitigate torque steer.

6-speed C635 manual transmission will be offered in all regions for use with the 1.4-liter MultiAir2 engine with Stop&Start (4x2); 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine (4x2 or 4x4); 1.6-liter MultiJet II engine with Stop&Start (4x2); and 2.0-liter MultiJet II engine with Stop&Start (4x4).

Five-speed C510 manual transmission will be offered in Europe / Asia-Pacific with the 1.6-liter E.torQ engine with Stop&Start (4x2).
Developed for high-output applications, the proven C510 five-speed manual transmission has been upgraded for improved shift quality, and features a 3.929 final-drive ratio to deliver quicker acceleration and faster top speed without compromising fuel-efficiency.

Designed to handle increased torque loads, this manual transmission includes an intermediate shaft with equal-length half shafts to mitigate torque steer; and oversized half shafts for increased strength and durability, and to reduce torsional stress in the driveline during performance driving.

The final assembly location for the Renegade will be at the Melfi Assembly Plant. The Renegade’s global portfolio of powertrain production includes the United States, Italy and Brazil.

Comments

Being part of that "world market" I'm impressed that over the past decade that Jeep has taken notice of countries other than just those in North America. Not only that, they have moved into more innovative 4WD systems than anyone else.

The Jeep/ZF 9-speed transmission has four planetary gear sets rather than the three found in most current automatics. There is no reason to believe that the fourth gear set will be any less reliable than the other three.

This type of automatic transmission will typically fail due to overheating, inappropriate transmission fluid, or driveline shock (tyres suddenly losing traction and then hooking up). None of these issues are made worse by having more gear ratios.